The woman's breast implants, which contained 1.38kg of cocaine, were removed in a local hospital, Spain's interior ministry said. Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Spanish authorities have arrested a Panamanian woman who arrived at Barcelona airport with 1.38kg of cocaine concealed in her breast implants.

The interior ministry said on Wednesday border police had noticed fresh scars and blood-stained gauze on the woman's chest and pale patches beneath her skin. The woman said she had recently had breast implant surgery.

Officers were suspicious and sent her to a local hospital where the implants were removed and found to contain cocaine, the ministry added.